System And Method For Extending Password Time-To-Live Based On Characteristics of Proposed Password

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: providing a device configured to control access to one or more functions of the device, wherein access is based on submission and verification of an appropriate password; providing a user with one or more options for a time-to-live value for a password submitted by the user, wherein the one or more options are dependent upon a characteristic of the password submitted by the user; receiving, at the device a selection by the user of one of the one or more options; receiving, at the device, the password from the user; evaluating the password to determine if it satisfies one or more criteria applicable to the selected option, wherein at least one of the one or more criteria is based upon a role of the user; if the password satisfies the one or more criteria applicable to the selected option, then setting a password time-to-live value for the user to the time-to-live-value corresponding to the selected option; and changing operation of the access control for the device in response to the time-to-live-value corresponding to the selected option.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more characteristics of the password include one or more of a length of the password, the inclusion or exclusion of a certain character or characters, or a level of complexity of the password as determined by an algorithm heuristic, rule, or method.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the user with the one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password further comprises providing the user with one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password based on one or more of the role of the user in an organization or the device, process, or system to which the password will be applied.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein evaluating the password to determine if it satisfies the one or more criteria applicable to the selected option further comprises evaluating the password by application of an algorithm, heuristic, rule, or method to the password.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password include an option for a longer time-to-live value if the password satisfies a condition related to application of a specific algorithm, heuristic, rule, or process.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the specific algorithm, heuristic, rule, or process provides an indication of an expected security level applicable to the password.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the password comprises one or more of a string of characters, an image, a sequence of sounds, or a spoken word or words.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to providing the user with the one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password, the method further comprises providing the user with an indication that a current password is due to expire.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing a record of the password time-to-live value corresponding to the selected option, the record including an association of the password time-to-live value with the user.

10. An apparatus, comprising: a processor programmed to execute a set of instructions; a data storage element in which the set of instructions are stored, wherein when executed by the processor the set of instructions cause the apparatus to secure data stored in the data storage with a password; provide a user of a computer with one or more options for a time-to-live value for the password based on one or more characteristics of the password; receive a selection by the user of one of the one or more options; receive the password; evaluate the password to determine if it satisfies one or more criteria applicable to the selected option, at least one criterion based upon a role of the user; and if the password satisfies the one or more criteria applicable to the selected option, then setting the password time-to-live value for the password provided by the user to the time-to-live value corresponding to the selected option; and change a manner of securing the computer with the password in response to the time-to-live-value corresponding to the selected option.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the one or more characteristics of the password include one or more of a length of the password, the inclusion or exclusion of a certain character or characters, or a level of complexity of the password as determined by an algorithm heuristic, rule, or method.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein providing the user with the one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password further comprises providing the user with one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password based on one or more of the role of the user in an organization or the device, process, or system to which the password will be applied.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein evaluating the password to determine if it satisfies the one or more criteria applicable to the selected option further comprises evaluating the proposed password by application of an algorithm, heuristic, rule, or process to the proposed password.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the one or more options for the time-to-live value for the password include an option for a longer time-to-live value if the password satisfies a condition related to application of a specific algorithm, heuristic, rule, or process.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the specific algorithm, heuristic, rule, or process provides an indication of an expected security level applicable to the password.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the password is one or more of a string of characters, an image, a sequence of sounds, or a spoken word or words.

17. A computer-implemented method of providing access, comprising: securing data stored in a memory on a computer with password protection; presenting a user with an option to extend a password time-to-live value based on the user submitting a password that satisfies one or more criteria; receiving from the user a selection of the option; receiving from the user the password; determining if the password satisfies the one or more criteria, at least one criterion based upon a role of the user; accepting the password as a new password if the password satisfies the one or more criteria; setting the time-to-live value for the new password corresponding to the selected option; at a later time, requesting the user to submit an entered password; and providing the user with access to the data stored in the memory if the entered password is the new password.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more criteria include one or more: a length of the password; a character that is part of the password; a character that is not part of the password; a complexity of the password; or a level of security associated with the password.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the complexity or the level of security associated with the password is determined based on application of one or more of a method, process, rule, heuristic, or algorithm to the password.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the option to extend the password time-to-live value presented to the user is based on one or more of the role of the user in an organization or the device, process, or system to which the password will be applied.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein presenting the user with an option to extend the password time-to-live value further comprises presenting the user with a plurality of options, wherein each option is associated with a specific time-to-live value based on one or more characteristics of the password.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein providing the user with access if the entered password is the new password further comprises providing the user with access to one or more of a device, a system, a network, a process, a data file, a data storage element, a structure, or a building.